Public Hearing
on the updated Economic Development Policy, a component of the
County’s Comprehensive Plan

STAFF
CONTACT(S):

Messrs. Tucker, Foley,
Davis, Kamptner, Graham, and Ms. Stimart

LEGAL REVIEW:
Yes

AGENDA DATE:

February 11,
2009

ACTION:
X
INFORMATION:

CONSENT AGENDA:

ACTION:
INFORMATION:

ATTACHMENTS:
Yes

REVIEWED BY:

BACKGROUND:

This public hearing is to
consider adoption of an updated Economic Development Policy based on input
received from the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission and the
community. In November 2007, staff presented updated economic data to the Board
of Supervisors. In February 2008, following consideration of the data, the
Board directed the Planning Commission to work with staff on updating the
Economic Development Policy to address three key areas: 1) work force
development, 2) light industrial land availability, and 3) agricultural
vitality. The Planning Commission held work sessions in April, May, July and
September to address these key areas and other policy questions. Using this
information, staff prepared a draft updated policy. The Planning Commission
held a public hearing in October 2008 at which they received public comment.
The Planning Commission then forwarded a policy recommendation to the Board. On
November 5, 2008 and January 7, 2009, the Board held work sessions to review the
Planning Commission’s recommended policy and provide staff direction on
additional desired policy changes. Staff has incorporated these changes into an
updated Economic Development Policy for the Board’s consideration.

STRATEGIC PLAN: Economic Vitality–
By June 30, 2010, the County will continue to maintain a strong and sustainable
economy; increase the economic vitality of the County's development areas; and
increase the ability of those individuals and families, who are living in lower
income households, to become self-sufficient.

DISCUSSION:

Exhibit A is the proposed
updated policy based on the Planning Commission’s recommendation and subsequent
changes. Exhibit B is the redline version of the proposed updated policy,
which shows the changes made to the draft recommended by the Planning
Commission. The following is a list of the substantive changes:

·Introducing
the Neighborhood Model into commercial development goals (Policy
introduction, Objective I, Strategy 1 [page 4], and Objective II, Strategies 2
and 4 [page 6]). The Policy’s adoption predates the County’s Neighborhood Model;
therefore, the Board felt it was important to bring this into the Policy update.

·Enhancing
support to the local agricultural industry by several measures (Objective I,
Strategy 4 [page 4], Objective V, Strategy 2 [page 8]). The farming industry in
the County has dropped in scale and profitability over time, with the most
recent farm profits showing an average deficit in 2002. The Board, Planning
Commission and community developed several strategies to help bolster this
industry, beginning with a study of the impact of agriculture to the Albemarle
economy.

·Recognizing
that, while the University is a main driver of the local economy, military
intelligence is also important to our local economy (Objective I, Strategies 5
and 6 [page 5]). The 1995 Base Realignment and Closures (BRAC) initiative to
“upsize” operations also predated the original policy. The recognition of
University of Virginia and Rivanna Station drivers is a more accurate reflection
of current conditions.

·Enhancing
support for work force development (Objective I, Strategy 8 [page 5], Objective
VI, Strategies 1-4 [page 8]). The County has experienced a loss in manufacturing
jobs as well as in other sectors. To help address these losses of employment
opportunity, the Policy has several new strategies to address workforce
training.